Bullying Prevention Awareness Month (October 2014)

10/2014

In support of Bullying Prevention Awareness Month, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) is providing resources for families, teens, educators, clinicians, mental health professionals, and law enforcement personnel on how to recognize, deal with, and prevent bullying.

Bullying can be verbal, physical, or via the Internet. It can severely affect the victim's self-image, social interactions, and school performance―often leading to insecurity, lack of self-esteem, and depression in adulthood. School dropout rates and absences among victims of bullying are much higher than among other students.

Studies have shown that children who have been identified as a bully by age eight are six times more likely to have a criminal conviction by age 24. Children who are bullies may continue to be bullies as adults, and are more prone to becoming child and spouse abusers.

The following resources provide information regarding bullying and bullying prevention for families and their communities.

Safe Spaces. Safe Places: Creating Welcoming and Inclusive Environments for Traumatized LGBTQ Youth[5] (2015) (Video)The NCTSN Child Sexual Abuse committee is pleased to an-nounce the launch of a new video which highlights the effect of trauma on LGBTQ youth; how bias impedes optimal care, and practical steps for creating safe and welcoming environments for traumatized LGBTQ youth. The video features five LGBTQ youth describing how trauma and bias have affected their ability to feel safe when seeking services. National Child Traumatic Stress Net-work (NCTSN) presenters discuss specific steps that professionals and organizations can take to create safer and more welcoming environments for traumatized LGBTQ youth.

For Families

Ability Path.org[10]AbilityPath.org is an online hub and special needs community for parents and professionals to learn, connect and live a more balanced life - through all phases of a child's growth and development. AbilityPath.org's mission is to build a community that brings together professionals and parents of children with special needs.[11][11]

Embrace Civility[13]A program of Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use, promotes approaches that will best ensure young people become 'cyber savvy' and addresses youth risk in a positive and restorative manner.[11]

The Cyberbullying Research Center[16]A clearinghouse for “up-to-date information about the nature, extent, causes, and consequences of cyberbullying among adolescents . . . [and on] the ways adolescents use and misuse technology. Geared to parents, educators, law enforcement officers, counselors, and others who work with youth. Includes facts, figures, and detailed stories from those who have been directly impacted by online aggression; and numerous resources for preventing and responding to cyberbullying incidents.

i-SAFE Inc.[17]Educates youth and others (e.g., educators, parents, law enforcement professionals) on how to safely and responsibly use the Internet (and other information-and-communication technologies). Includes a K–12 curriculum, and outreach programs for parents, law enforcement personnel, and community leaders.

National Bullying Prevention Center[19]A website that provides basic facts about bullying and treatments; videos, first-person stories, and information on how to talk to your kids about bullying. Includes products and links to other related resources and websites.

Safe in YourSpace[20]This website provides information on cyberspace safety and encourages children, parents and teachers to talk with one another about how to stay safe online. Includes information covering various areas including cyberbullying, financial scams, and sexual victimization.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminstration

KnowBullying [21]A free smartphone app that provides parents, caretakers, educators, and others information and support to address youth bullying. The KnowBullying mobile app, developed in collaboration with the federal partnership StopBullying.gov, is available for iPhone and Android users

Parent and Family Engagement [23]This website provides a place where parents and families can access information from across ED.gov. Topics include Section 1118 of Title I, special education, fatherhood, military families, early learning, and bullying.

A website for parents, children, and educators that offers strategies to reduce bullying in schools. Includes information about why children bully, what to do if you are being bullied, and what parents can do if their child is being bullied. Features "Cool Stuff," targeted toward children including webisodes, character profiles, and games. Also offers Spanish content materials for parents, survey and training opportunities, links to training videos and workshops, consultation (via phone and e-mail), and many other resources.

For Teens and Tweens

GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network)[25]A national education organization whose mission is centered on creating safe spaces in schools for K–12 students. They seek to “develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes in creating a more vibrant and diverse community.” The website and resources are focused on the acceptance of all people regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or occupation. Includes information on their research and policymaking, plus tools and tips.

Teens Against Bullying [27]An interactive site where teens can learn about preventing and responding to bullying—in cyberspace, via texting, and at school. Includes resources for kids and parents, and information on Facebook safety.

NetSmartz® Workshop[28]An interactive, educational program of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® (NCMEC) that provides age-appropriate resources to help teach children how to be safer on- and offline through education, engagement, and empowerment. Designed for children ages 5-17, parents and guardians, educators, and law enforcement. Includes videos, games, activity cards, and presentations.

STOP Cyberbulling[29]An interactive website offering resources to help prevent cyberbullying, encouraging everyone to “be part of the solution.” The materials are divided into six sections: children (aged 7–10), preteens (aged 11–13), teens (aged 14–17), parents/caregivers, educators, and law enforcement personnel. Topics include 1) definition of cyberbullying, 2) how it works (types of cyberbullying), 3) why kids cyberbully, 4) preventing cyberbullying, 5) taking action, and 6) law enforcement. Users can download most of the materials by clicking on icons (Microsoft Word or PDF) on the top of the pages, especially helpful for easy creation of handouts and information packs for teaching and research.

The Trevor Project[30]A national organization that provides “crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. . . . The Trevor Lifeline is the only nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention lifeline for LGBTQ youth . . . a free and confidential service that offers hope and someone to talk to, 24/7. Each year, tens of thousands of calls are fielded from young people across the country.” The website includes a directory of local services, tips for helping LGBTQ youth, workshops, resources for educators and parents, a live chatline with trained volunteers, and much more.

GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network)[25]A national education organization whose mission is centered on creating safe spaces in schools for K–12 students. They seek to “develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes in creating a more vibrant and diverse community.” The website and resources are focused on the acceptance of all people regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or occupation. Includes information on their research and policymaking, plus tools and tips.

Anti-Bullying Resources [35]"Through research-based interventions, GLSEN provides resources and support for schools to implement effective and age-appropriate anti-bullying programs to improve school climate for all students. While many schools show a willingness to address bullying generally, effective efforts must address the pervasive issue of anti-LGBT bullying as a crucial element of the problem. These programs and resources aim to help all members of the school community address bullying in inclusive and effective ways."

Olweus Bullying Prevention Program[37]A schoolwide program (for elementary, middle, and junior high schools) designed to reduce and prevent bullying problems, and to improve peer relations among schoolchildren. Offers training for school staff and for National Olweus trainers.

i-SAFE Inc.[17]A nonprofit foundation whose online safety education programs are available throughout the U.S. and in Department of Defense schools around the world.

Educators[38]Online, classroom, and community interactive curriculums on Internet safety; includes certification program.

Bully-Proofing Your School[41]A program “for handling bully/victim problems through the creation of a ‘caring majority’ of students who take the lead in establishing and maintaining a safe and caring school community.” Improves school climate, addresses bystander and bullying behavior, teaches protective skills, and much more. Workshops are targeted to early childhood, elementary, middle, and high school personnel.

Safe in YourSpace[20]This website provides information on cyberspace safety and encourages children, parents and teachers to talk with one another about how to stay safe online. Includes information covering various areas including cyberbullying, financial scams, and sexual victimization.

StopBullying.gov[24]A website for parents, children, and educators providing strategies to reduce bullying in schools. Includes information about why children bully, what to do if you are being bullied, and what parents can do if their child is being bullied. Features "Cool Stuff," targeted toward children including webisodes, character profiles, and games. Also offers Spanish content materials for parents, survey and training opportunities, links to training videos and workshops, consultation (via phone and e-mail), and many other resources.

For Clinicians and Mental Health Professionals

StopBullying.gov[24] A website for parents, children, and educators providing strategies to reduce bullying in schools. Includes information about why children bully, what to do if you are being bullied, and what parents can do if their child is being bullied. Features "Cool Stuff," targeted toward children including webisodes, character profiles, and games. Also offers Spanish content materials for parents, survey and training opportunities, links to training videos and workshops, consultation (via phone and e-mail), and many other resources.

For Law Enforcement Personnel

Bullying Prevention Is Crime Prevention[49] (2003) (PDF) A report focusing on how bullying is related to depression, suicide, crime, and violence; and the prevalence of bullying and the effects it has on children. Includes a call for action addressed to “local, state and national policy makers to invest in proven anti-bullying measures for every school in America.”

Developing an Anti-Bullying Program: Increasing Safety, Reducing Violence[51] (2006) (PDF) Part of a series of briefs in Juvenile Justice: Law Enforcement Training and Technical Assistance designed to help law enforcement leaders develop a proactive youth bullying–prevention program. Includes examples of programs that have significantly reduced bullying in schools, effective roles law enforcement personnel can play in bullying prevention, and links to many other related resources.

StopBullying.gov[24]A website for parents, children, and educators providing strategies to reduce bullying in schools. Includes information about why children bully, what to do if you are being bullied, and what parents can do if their child is being bullied. Features "Cool Stuff," targeted toward children including webisodes, character profiles, and games. Also offers Spanish content materials for parents, survey and training opportunities, links to training videos and workshops, consultation (via phone and e-mail), and many other resources.

Bullying in Schools[54] (2002) (PDF) Part of the Problem-Oriented Guides for Police Series. Describes bullying and its effects; outlines effective prevention and intervention strategies; offers techniques for speaking about bullying with school officials, victims, and offenders; includes resources.